Putin hopes Steinmeier formula for Ukraine to be implemented
MOSCOW. Oct 25 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that the Steinmeier formula for Ukrainian settlement will be implemented, following a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
"Of course, we also touched on the state of affairs in Ukraine. Mr. President has an excellent command of this topic. I will point out that in his time as foreign minister, he proposed several solutions which directly involve his name; I hope they will be implemented in the course of future work," Putin said at a press conference after meeting with Steinmeier in Moscow.
"Mr. President and I once again noted that a durable, comprehensive settlement for southeastern Ukraine should be based on strict adherence to the Minsk Agreements," he said.
It was in this context that the two leaders discussed Russia's initiative to set up a UN mission to ensure the safety of OSCE monitors in the conflict zone, Putin said.